Factors Influencing Compliance with Immunization Regimen among Mothers in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Immunization is one of the world’s most cost-effective health interventions that helps prevent childhood diseases. However, many infants are not usually fully vaccinated especially in developing countries. This contributes to mortality Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD) in children. This study examines factors influencing compliance with immunization regimen among nursing mothers in Moniya Community Ibadan, Nigeria. Design and methods: The study used a cross-sectional survey to collect data among nursing mothers. Systematic sampling method was used to select the households while the women were purposively selected. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect data from the 153 respondents. Results: The study showed that 62.8% complied fully while 37.2 % did not. Some of the respondents (19.6%) did not take any vaccines for their children. Out of this, 65.4% cited child sickness as the reason for their failure to immunize their children. Side effects, waiting time, number of visits, and attitude of health care workers were other reasons for not immunizing their children. Conclusions: There should be an improvement in availability and accessibility of vaccines, immunization time should be more flexible, prompt attention and service to mothers and that health workers should be patientfriendly.